New-York tribune., 1887-05-15
CHURCH THoUGHTANDT TALK
THE REVIVAL MOVEMENT IN THE EPIsCo-

CHURCH THOUGHT ANDTALK
THE REVIVAL MOVEMENT IN THE EPIsCo-
PAL CHURCH-OrHER RELIGIOUS NEWS
The Rev. Dr. George R. vandewatcr, of Brooklyn, VINO
June enters upon his duties as general missioner
OF the Parochal Mission Society Of the EpscopaChurch
is man whose and personality are equally NOT
able Though only thirtthrce years of age last month
he has already reached h0uors and prefermenS tnas
are usually reserved for aged only and has made
a mark as a preacher in Brooklyn that any clergyman
might be proud Of He was born in Flushing, L. L. ana
was prepared for college in the Flushing Institute,
entering Cornell University in 1870 and being graduated
therefrom in 1874 He Immediately entered the General
Theological Seminary OF this city. In 1876, before he
was graduated from the seminary he received unanf-
nous call to the rectorshp Of Christ Church. Oyster Bay,
IL He was ordained deacon and continued his stud
les at the seminary while administering the duties of his
narsh He was graduated from the seminary in 1879,
his ordination to the priesthood being deferred until
s9 because he had not yet reached the eanonica
He remained rector of the Oyster Bay church until 1880,
and under his energetic supervision beautiful new
church costing 81 900 erected and public library
was opened in the village In 1880 Mr. vandewaer was
called to the rectorshp Of ST. Lukes Church. Brooklyn
Easter three months after he came TO ST. Lukes an
Offering $4,000 taken up, freeing the church ana
chapel from all debt In 1882 the church was enlarged
by the addition OF q chancel and choir In which were
stained glass windows together with rood SCREEN all
costing 1000. To these added q new organ aud
a very c0..pete Sunday room at cost OK
$4,000. In 1885 q handsome rectory adjoining the
church purcha sed at cost OF $4,000 The old rec
tory a the rear Of the property has since been used as
parish house, but will be replaced by commod-
ous building, for which the money is now being rapidly
raised Within the last three years chapel has been
organized on the Of Pacifcst and Bedford-ave
The original building has been replaced by beautiful
stone building costing $4,000 Within the last three
months the congregation of this chapel has been in
corporated under the title Of St Bartholomew
Church. and it Is to-day one of the most promising ana
fourishing Episcopal parishes Of Brooklyn
In the autumn Of 1885 the Rev. W. Hay Aitkin, the
great English missioner, practically began his work in
this country in St. Lukes Brooklyn, to which he was
cordially welcomed by Mr.. Vandewater In the very
notable Advent mission held in this city in 1885 Mr.
Vandewater conducted the mission in st. Miehaers
Church. showing that he possessed in high degree the
rare aud peculiar gifts required for this work Immed
atey after this mission the Parochal Mission Society
was organized continue and extend this form OF evan
gezation and Mr. Yandewater was made general secre'
tary. Last year he conducted missions In various
churches and January OF the present year he con-
Quoted remarkably successful mission in Grace Church
Cleveland few weeks ago the society eected nun drs
general missioner for year, and his parish gener-
sence His first mission will be in St Johns Cathedral,
Denver, and services of few days duration VIII ai'er
ward be held In the other churches or that city In
September missions will be held In various parts OF viz
a n n reat and Advent mis-
sion will be held in St. Louis in which Dr Vandewater
January a mission will be held in ST. Mary's, Phadel-
phia aud during Lent great mission viii be aeld N
Omaha. Many other applications have been made anu
are under consideration by the committee.
The degree Of DID, was conferred upon Mr.Yandewater
last June by Nashotah Seminary its first award Of that
degree Dr. vandewater has also been prominently
identified with the cathedral and cathedral schools az
Garden City, and much OF the present success OF the
schools is due his energetic oversight Last year Dr.
Vandewater was elected alunnus trustee OF cornell
University and trustee of the Generarheologlcal semi
nary But engrossing as his professional duties he
does not allow them 10 absorb all his attenuoh AZ
citizen OF Brooklyn Dr. Vandewaers voice Is frequently
heard in the discussion OF questions that concern tho
common veal ami his influence is widely felt Personally
! he is n man OF attractive manners lie Is genlal'
fond OF hearing and telling good story ana possesses
that personal magnetism and power OF inspiring otners
To work so necessary the preacher. The Epseopai
Church is trying bold experiment IN nsueu.nx % i IT,
yval system OF It's o%n but y mas aetet Nv wi grS IN sh
new work.
Church music has changed vastly since the days when
Billings aud Holden ruled New-England with their
baton and Lowell Mason deserves not little OF tho
credit for the Improvement although the world is getting
little beyond him now. Says writer in the Boston
Bufge Many OF his tunes, Bethany, for instance,
have worldwide celebrity. 1t is true that the words
Nearer NY God TO Thee, are almost inspired yet they
tune of Hebron those reflective and devotonai
| words Thus far Lord has led me on, mas conf
fortel and consoed thousands BOylston, our DAYS
are as the grass, Hamburg Kingdoms ana thrones e
TO God belong Ward, There is stream whose gentle
How are tunes which have been sung III families not
only In ngland, but IN churches % almost every
| determination throughout the whole country.
To the surprise OF great many people, Calvary
Church I'm this city about 10 have vested choir Mr.
+ F. Mosenthal who has been the organist for twenty
seven wears and whose compositions are sung all over
the United retires and IL succeeded Dy MI A. Il
| Crook.
The various Church societies have had very pros
| perous year The American sunday School Union the
American Tract Society," the Methodist Book Concern,
the American Baptist Publication Society, the Presby
terian Board OF Publication, of Home Missions and or
| COlOred and Indian Missions, and the Episcopal Mis-
sonary Society all exhibit vigorous life, ami have
good to celebrate their May ANNIVERSARIES Win
JOY and gladness.
The Rev. O. f. Herrick, chaplain at Fortress Monroe.
tells OF an interesting service which recently held
in st. Johns Church, Hampton, Va. In the same
parish" he says in which the first Indian child was
baptized on this continent there service held in
which the Bishop who oficated descendant OF
POcahOutas the choir three Indian young men;
and In the class that confirmed were four Indian
Youths from Dakota. The Church of ST John, Hampton
Virginia in place where the first settlers III Nlr-
giua first met Indians. The walls OF the present
| church were built in 1858. was impressed by the
Thought that Indians who have been crowded West
by tie white mans civilization, had back TO their
| own village Kichitan TO receive their confirmation
| by the hands OF a descendant OF PocahOntas."
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